Author: admin

Sunday 22nd February 2026

“And the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, saying: 2 “Command the children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities. 3 They shall have the cities to dwell in; and their common-land shall be for their cattle, for their herds, and for all their animals. 4 The common-land of the cities which you will give the Levites shall extend from the wall of the city outward a thousand cubits all around. 5 And you shall measure outside the city on the east side two thousand cubits, on the south side two thousand cubits, on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits. The city shall be in the middle. This shall belong to them as common-land for the cities.” Numbers 35:1-5 NKJV

God our refuge,

You are the God of refuge and You know that accidents do happen. You even gave Moses plans for dealing with protection for those who did. You included 12 cities of refuge. So they would be spaced among each tribes land and a distance anyone could reach within a day? You did not cover over accidents and loss of control and murder. You provided places of refuge. Places of justice. It would also stop those seeking vengeance from becoming murderers themselves.

Later a Psalmist would pen the Words “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1).

Thank goodness today we do not have to run cross country to reach You. You are right here, where and when we need You. Always! (Matthew 28:20). But sometimes we are more aware than others? David sang, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;  my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. (2 Samuel 22:2,3). Recognising Your hand in saving him from Saul and his enemies.

We praise You because You are our refuge, a place of safety. No longer condemned for our sin and safe in the knowledge a place is prepared for us with You in heaven (John 14:1-4). And today if we need to take refuge from life, comfort, assurance, forgiveness or direction, You are here.

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Sunday 22nd February 2026
You may recognise the tune depending on age . . . from the Dambusters movie.

God is our strength and refuge,
our present help in trouble,
and we therefore will not fear,
though the earth should change!
Though mountains shake and tremble,
though swirling floods are raging,
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!

There is a flowing river
within God’s holy city;
God is in the midst of her-
she shall not be moved!
God’s help is swiftly given,
thrones vanish at his presence-
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!

Come, see the works of our maker,
learn of his deeds all-powerful:
wars will cease across the world
when he shatters the spear!
Be still and know your creator,
uplift him in the nations-
God the Lord of hosts is with us evermore!

Lyrics: Psalm 46, Richard Bewes

May You cause wars to cease now too Lord.

Saturday 21st February 2026

“Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock; and when they saw the land of Jazer and the land of Gilead, that indeed the region was a place for livestock, 2 the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, to Eleazar the priest, and to the leaders of the congregation, saying, 3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Shebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4 the country which the Lord defeated before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock, and your servants have livestock.” 5 Therefore they said,“If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants as a possession. Do not take us over the Jordan.”” Numbers 32:1-5 NKJV


Omniscient God,

All knowing. You knew the hearts of this people wandered and yet You kept Your covenant. The land looked good. So the tribes descended from Reuben (Leah and Jacob’s first born Genesis 29:31), Gad (son of Rachel’s maidservant Bilhah Genesis 30:4-6) and the half tribe descended from Manassah (the firstborn son of Joseph and Asenath (Genesis 41:50–52) opted to go no further.

We can only presume the half tribe of Manasseh opted to stay as well perhaps they decided later but decide they did. Moses negotiated an agreement for the men to travel on with them and help take the promised land and then return to their families. They agreed. I wonder if it was that easy?

They were prepared to settle for the first good pasture they found. Without even seeing a glimpse of what was ahead. And they knew the difference between where they had come from and where they were. Did they really believe You could provide nothing better?

I can see looking back that I have grown in You. Other people can see the changes in us better than we can. Simply stopping swearing was immediately noticed! But the growth becomes subtler. We are all given the choice daily once we know Jesus whether we want to stay as we are or grow further.

Some settle for knowing Jesus and are satisfied not wanting to go too deep. Some go very slowly and are not really committed to a deep relationship with You – more a friendship for if they need You. And there I must stop because it is easy to begin judging people. What should concern me is me. Do I settle sometimes and stop growing? Help me to hunger for more of You..

In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

Worship Saturday 21st February 2026
Does seem that growth comes with challenges . . .

I asked the Lord that I might grow
In faith and love and ev’ry grace,
Might more of His salvation know,
And seek more earnestly His face.

‘Twas He who taught me thus to pray,
And He, I trust, has answered prayer,
But it has been in such a way
As almost drove me to despair.

 I hoped that in some favored hour
At once He’d answer my request
And, by His love’s constraining pow’r,
Subdue my sins and give me rest.

Instead of this, He made me feel
The hidden evils of my heart
And let the angry pow’rs of hell
Assault my soul in ev’ry part.

Yea, more with His own hand He seemed
Intent to aggravate my woe,
Crossed all the fair designs I schemed,
Humbled my heart and laid me low.

“Lord, why is this,” I trembling cried;
“Wilt Thou pursue Thy worm to death?”
“’Tis in this way,” the Lord replied,
“I answer prayer for grace and faith.”

“These inward trials I employ
From self and pride to set thee free
And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

And break thy schemes of earthly joy
That thou may’st find thy all in Me.”

Lyrics: Jon Newton

Friday 20th February 2026

“On the fourteenth day of the first month is the Passover of the Lord. 17 And on the fifteenth day of this month is the feast; unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days.” Numbers 28:16-17

“Also on the day of the firstfruits, when you bring a new grain offering to the Lord at your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work.” Numbers 28:26 N

“And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work. For you it is a day of blowing the trumpets.” Numbers 29:1

 “On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall afflict your souls; you shall not do any work.” Numbers 29:7

“On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work, and you shall keep a feast to the Lord seven days.” Numbers 29:12 All NKJV

Father and teacher,

You put religious festivals and practices into place that would not only remind Your people about Your provision but teach Your people about You but also about worship, thanksgiving and their future. You instigated annually, the Passover meal, the feast of weeks, the feast of trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the feast of tabernacles.

Many were about coming together and eating and being a community, set apart and with many blessings from God to give thanks for.

They also prophetically pointed to our future. As we now celebrate annually at Easter that Jesus is our passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7). The feast of weeks or Pentecost, which comes 7 weeks after passover we also count 7 weeks after Easter and celebrate Pentecost. The coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). The feast of trumpets, a time to give an offering of fire (Leviticus 23:23-25) to blew the trumpets to announce the end of harvest. Surely for us this must be a reminder that Jesus is coming back there will be a final harvest. Jesus reminds us to be ready (Matthew 25).

The Day of Atonement reminds us that sacrifice is now redundant. When Jesus died the 60 ft curtain closing off the holy of holies was rent in two (Matthew 27:51). You, God opened the way to know and receive from You personally. We carry this truth in our hearts always and particularly as we take communion. The feast of tabernacles was an opportunity to gather together and thank You for your provision in the wilderness. Perhaps it would do us good to live simply in a tent and remember how blessed we are!

That is a lot to take in Lord. But we see the new in the Old. We respect the old and embrace the new. The foundation You were laying down for Your people and the future You were pointing to. The future in Jesus. Our future in Jesus.

In Jesus name we pray.

Worship Friday 20th February 2026

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?
Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?
The King of glory, the King above all kings
Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?
And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?
The King of glory, the King above all kings

This is amazing grace, this is unfailing love
That You would take my place
That You would bear my cross
You laid down Your life, that I would be set free
Oh, Jesus, I sing for all that You’ve done for me

Who brings our chaos back into order?
Who makes the orphans a son and daughter?
The King of glory, the King of glory
Who rules the nations with truth and justice
Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance
The King of glory, the King above all kings

Chorus

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy is the King who conquered the grave
Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
Worthy, worthy, worthy

Chorus
All that You’ve done for me

Lyrics: Phil Wickham, Lecrae Moore, Jeremy Riddle, Joshua Neil Farro